HORSERACING jockeys and horse trainers who suffer work-related injuries have not been able to get compensation despite a 53-year-old welfare fund with available cash totaling P80.136 million.
Government auditors noted there were 20 reported injuries among jockeys in 2022 but none of them received compensation benefits for loss of work or hospitalization from the Jockeys and Horse Trainers Injury, Disability, and Death Compensation Fund.
Reports of jockeys’ injuries were traced through reports submitted to the Philracom by stewards and racing clubs and from the Registration and Licensing Division.
The Commission on Audit said some of the incidents resulted in the riders being hospitalized for accidents that “caused partial and total disabilities to jockeys.”
“Despite the availability of funds, the jockeys mentioned therein did not file an application to receive the compensation intended for them,” the COA pointed out.
Auditors said the problem is mostly due to the outdated provisions of RA 6115 that created the Compensation Fund way back in 1969.
“It was determined that the non-compensation of the jockeys for injuries and disabilities suffered while performing their work was due to lack of implementing guidelines and the rates stated in the said (law) are no longer relevant,” the audit team said.
The recommended amounts of compensation have not been adjusted in the last 53 years so that a jockey killed at work is only entitled to P6,000, the same amount he will receive should he get maimed and rendered permanently disabled — and only if he applies.
Work-related injuries that result in hospitalization get only P500 pesos, not enough for a meal and cab fare.
If the jockey feels lucky enough to try and purchase a “moderate-priced land and house,” the fund will help with a stipend “not exceeding P10,000” subject to the approval of the Board.
With P80.136 million in cash on hand, the Compensation Fund only used P2.27 million in 2022, or 2.83 percent.
The Philracom management informed the COA that it has sent several letters to Congress appealing for a review and update of the benefits payment rates but it has not received any response.
It added that it will continue efforts to get in touch with lawmakers to amend the benefit provisions as it takes the initiative of allotting a portion of the horse’s prize to provide medical benefits to injured or disabled jockeys and trainers.
